LF from Saudi Arabia

Mohsen al-Dajani

Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2010
Messages
9
Location
Saudi Arabia
Format
Multi Format
Hello everybody,

I am a nature photographer from Saudi Arabia, 15 year experience with 35mm & MF. To move another step on the photography ladder, I think it is wise to wander with new medium and format..entering the world of Large format. For the past weeks, I have a complete system from a friend of mine, the system consists of:
1) Sinar F2 camera
2) 90mm lens, 150mm lens, and 210mm lens
3) 4 holders, changing bag, focusing loup
4) one expired packet of Velvia 50

I shot now 2 shots and the result was as expected (one blurry, and one was shot on wrong side but I had so much fun fighting with that giant..I really enjoyed it because I feel Large format is only for real men

Anyway, can you help me guys find the good books on this new world, I am well expert when it come to photography (in fact I publish a book on one city here in Saudi Arabia), so I know the art of nature photography in general...it is LF that I have no experience in. Also, my eyes are looking at an Ebony 45SU, do you think that it is close from the Sinar F2 camera in term of finding the correct f/stop and placing DoF?

Thanks
 

holmburgers

Member
Joined
Aug 13, 2009
Messages
4,439
Location
Vienna, Austria
Format
Multi Format
Ansel Adam's "The Camera" and "The Negative" are fantastic. They'll cover a lot of basics, but I think you'll learn a lot about LF from these books as well. Also, "View Camera Technique" by Leslie Stroebel is a great book about using movements, etc.

Good luck & welcome to LF
 

mike c

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 5, 2009
Messages
2,863
Location
Los Angeles
Format
Multi Format
Mohsen al-Dajani,last year I also bought a large format camera(Burke&James 5x7).Sounds like you have experience with anlog photography already so thats 90% of the learning curve,the rest is dealing with swings and tilts and loading the film holders with takes practice. I assume that yous is a mono rail camera which is a very good one,for nature and out side stuff the flat bed camera is much easier to carry around .You might also check out the Large Format Forum which has a lot of info about the L.F. camera and techniques.Post some of your photo's here,like to see them.

Mike
 

hspluta

Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2010
Messages
73
Location
Chicago Area
Format
Medium Format
The books mentioned are good, I actually prefer Stroebel's book over The Camera. However, for me, the very best beginners book for large format was "Large-Format Photography" (Kodak Publication, No. O-18e.)

This book has very good, basic information on using LF and should be part of everyone's library. As said, you sound like you are having fun, so keep shooting away at it.

Best regards, Harry
 
OP
OP

Mohsen al-Dajani

Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2010
Messages
9
Location
Saudi Arabia
Format
Multi Format
Oh I went for a while and I am surprised to see these replies...looks this web/forum is very active, much better than the large format forum info where the time space between replies spans for years.

Thanks everyone for the info, I will definitely get the "View Camera Technique". In fact, I already have couple of books on the subject like:
1) "Using the view camera" by Steve Simmone
2) Joe Cornish's superb book "Light & landscape photography"
3) "Examples" by Ansel Adams

But still very hunger and will get more. Regarding my photography please take a look at my web: www.mohsenaldajani.com very straight forward web but should be completed soon.

I am still looking for more books please.

Thanks
 

olleorama

Member
Joined
May 10, 2009
Messages
525
Format
Multi Format

Your website shows a stunning portfolio.
 
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